Jerry Reinhardt is currently working as General Manager of Concert & Corporate Productions in Perth Western Australia. Jerry has worked as Operations Manager for Burswood Resorts (now Crown Perth) Entertainment Dept. and Technical manager for Perth Concert Hall as well as Course coordinator for the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts. Jerry has held board positions for the Events Industry Association and the Industry Advisory Committee at Edith Cowan University. Jerry has fifteen years of National and International touring experience with many artists including Van Halen, Neil Diamond, Cher, Chicago, Al Jarreau and many more.
What would you normally be doing this time of year?
Working on at least a dozen shows, negotiating deals, and coordinating production requirements for upcoming events.
What’s a fairly normal day at the moment for you?
I am continuing to go to the office every day and manage the day to day operations. Albeit, I do spend a bit more time in my office at home these days. Normal these days is different than pre-COVID normal. We are attempting to find new ways to conduct business and identifying new and diverse opportunities. Fortunately, I am working on a major musical due to open at the end of October and this provides me with both a creative outlet and an opportunity to keep the grey matter exercised.
Are you learning anything to improve your skills set?
I am currently honing my skills on the grandMA lighting console and visualizer. I am also, as a matter of necessity, learning much more about our government support systems to keep our staff gainfully employed.
What bad habits have you slipped into?
I think I am eating more Ice Cream than usual.
How are you coping financially?
We are grateful for the Jobkeeper program and have managed to keep all of our full-time staff working at least three days a week. Budgets are definitely much tighter these days but I am keeping my family warm and fed.
When do you think live entertainment will return and in what format?
Fortunately, in WA, live entertainment is currently happening although it is in a much smaller capacity. Proper theatrical venues are beginning to open to 50% houses and smaller venues and nightclubs are operating with some restrictions. I don’t believe we will see major touring productions until mid to late 2021 at the earliest if at all. I believe we are at a paradigm point in the entertainment industry and we need to change how we do shows. Productions will become more localised and companies will need to learn to collaborate more for the benefit of the whole. Everyone involved with productions needs to adjust the way they provide and implement their services. This includes from the top down from Artists, Management, Promoters, and Creatives to vendors, suppliers and venues. I would welcome the opportunity to elaborate on this in a different forum.
Do you have any words of encouragement?
Yes, be positive and believe “The Shows Will Return”. Human beings possess an archetypal need to share the human experience and we do this through the art of telling stories. And we tell these stories through theatre, dance, opera, and musical expression in all its forms. We can get through these times together and we will continue to tell our stories. Be kind to one another.
What makes you happy at the moment?
Sharing time with the people I love, being creative and designing shows. Reaching out and making contact with old friends.
Oh! “And Ice Cream!”
